Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-05-29

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 93/97 -- 29.5.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET on the prospect of meetings with Greeks.

[02] Young Turkish businessmen in the occupied area.

[03] Occupied Famagusta and Trahoni become ``districts''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkey urged to help improve Turkish Cypriot economy.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET on the prospect of meetings with Greeks

According to diplomatic sources, no preparations have been made but the meeting might take place. The same sources argue that even in the absence of a prepared meeting, the coming together of the two leaders will create an opportunity for reducing the tension in relations between Turkey and Greece that has existed since the Luxembourg summit, where the EU excluded Turkey.

Following the Yalta conference, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Greece will also come together in Istanbul during the Balkan Foreign Ministers Conference to be held 8-9 June. A face-to-face meeting is also not expected on the sidelines of the conference that will be attended by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. However, it is presumed that the atmosphere created by the leaders during the Yalta summit will also affect the Istanbul meeting.''

[02] Young Turkish businessmen in the occupied area

Turkish young businessmen Associations Supreme Council-(TUGIK) will also hold its executive and chairmen´s council meetings at the occupied Kyrenia Club Lapithos. (MY)

[03] Occupied Famagusta and Trahoni become ``districts''

KIBRIS further reports that the so-called draft law now will be submitted to pseudo Assembly´s approval. (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkey urged to help improve Turkish Cypriot economy

``Ankara´s move to suspend its dialogue with the EU because of the decision the organization made at its summit in Luxembourg prevented the EU and Greece from placing Turkey´s foreign policy under their control.

Undoubtedly, Ankara´s and the `TRNC´s´ maintaining their policy will help Turkey gain significant ground in it struggle against Greece over Cyprus. Meanwhile, it will remove the `TRNC´ people´s fear that a solution cannot be found to the Cyprus problem. Obviously, the EU deciding to support Greece´s policy on Cyprus shaped the framework of the solution to be found. It will provide for the establishment of two states on the island.

Returning to the parameters that existed before the EU decided to get involved in the problem will be impossible. The Greek-Greek Cypriot front´s ambition to quickly place the entire island under its control removed the parameters in Cyprus that were in its favour.

Turkey and the `TRNC´ must maintain a resolute approach so that the outline of the two-state model can emerge. But that will not be enough. The effort the `TRNC´ makes to achieve economic development must be strongly supported. Undoubtedly, the agreement Turkey and north Cyprus signed for ``integration'' shortly after the EU and south Cyprus began their talks on the Greek Cypriot side´s accession to the organization will help the `TRNC´ reduce the effects of its isolation and contribute toward the Turkish Cypriot side´s development. Many of the provisions of the agreement, which is aimed at helping the `TRNC´ achieve economic development rather than integrate with Turkey, are vitally important for the Turkish Cypriot people. For example, the Turkish Cypriots have waited decades for the project that will supply water to the `TRNC´. The agreement the two sides concluded will provide for the supply of water to north Cyprus in containers until a pipeline is constructed to link the two countries. The possibility of the Turkish Cypriots selling water to the Greek Cypriot side will be placed on the agenda. That will make Turkey´s presence on the island meaningful in the economic field.

A plan has been drawn up to support the `TRNC´s´ agricultural domain with measures to stimulate production in Turkey. So the agreement related to the water supply and the decision to stimulate the `TRNC´s´ agricultural production will significantly improve the Turkish Cypriot economy. Furthermore, Ankara´s decision to support the small and medium-size enterprises that will invest in the `TRNC´ through the Turkish Popular Bank will encourage investment and stimulate production in the north.

All that will be a favourable development. But it will not be enough. The present government must adopt a sincere approach to the Cyprus problem. In other words, the projects aimed at helping the TRNC achieve development may not be fully realized if the Turkish Government adopts a different approach. So adopting a national policy for the `TRNC´s´ development is unavoidable. The political atmosphere required for that purpose exists. A `TRNC´ fund should be established to draw up a policy on Cyprus that is above party politics. Using the fund to help the `TRNC´ attract foreign investment and sell its products abroad will be very useful. For example, value-added tax may be increased by 1 percent for that purpose. The increase will not affect the daily life of the average man in Turkey. The contributions of 65 million people add up. It may be used as capital by Turkish companies and their Turkish Cypriot partners investing in north Cyprus.

There must be investment in infrastructure installations if the Turkish Cypriot economy, which is mostly dependent on the services, education, and tourism sectors, is to be improved. The fund may be used to improve the production and sale of products in `north Cyprus´. Furthermore, it may be used to help officials promote tourism by improving the north´s air and sea links.

Ankara has to adopt a policy above governmental considerations in order to be able to help the `TRNC´ achieve development as a factor contributing to Turkey´s security and foreign policy. There can be no winning the struggle with the Greek-Greek Cypriot front before the `TRNC´ achieves economic development.''

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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